Departure lounge act
So I’m writing this with pretty poor signal in Heathrow. I’m about to make my 10th trip to Australia. Melbourne is a sort of second home to me so I’m more than upbeat about the prospect.
I have just got overexcited in the duty free shops – something I normally avoid- and bought an expensive pair of headphones, which for me is like booze or drugs.
My hope is that I’ll be able to get online in Hong Kong airport, halfway there, and do a special-edition blog. But obviously, it would be an insane risk to let everything hinge on that. So this is a precautionary blog. In Oz, as I’ve said, I’m pretty confident of keeping going without snags. The time difference, however, may mean blogs appear at unpredictable, even crazy, hours. Bet you can’t wait!!
Everyone behave until I get online again, please. To focus you, I’m going to set a small task for Friday. Help someone. Do it however you want and to whomever you want. I’ll also be helpful on the plane. Deal?
Posted by Aislinn on September 12, 2010
I work Monday to Thursday and have Uni on Fridays, but as my Uni course hasn’t started yet I went into work on Friday. I worked 8-4 and didn’t get paid for it but did it anyway, to help out.
(I’ve only just read your blog, so that will have to make do as a ‘help someone’ theme. I’d hope it helped a few of the teachers.)
Posted by Lydia on September 11, 2010
I will try. This week was kind of stressful with my colleges admin falling to peices and then my friend crashing his bike so I doubt I will lack oppertunity to do something.
Enjoy your flight.
Posted by ChrisP on September 11, 2010
are you going to be a hero at 30,000ft?
And I helped my lil sis set up her laptop for uni.
Posted by Josh on September 11, 2010
When you’re in the Kingdom of Oz, will you be releasing a blog every English day or Australian day?
It’s possible, if we leave the situation unresolved that you will miss one somewhere.
Posted by Ally on September 11, 2010
I helped my sister pick an outfit for a party, I hope that counts. By the time you read this (I’m assuming you’re still reading all the comments
) you’ll be in Oz! So welcome! I really wish I was able to fly down to Melbourne to attend on of your book launches but recent family events have prevented that (My Aunt and Uncles wedding mainly, for which I just found out I’m get to be a bridesmaid! The last wedding I went to was when I was 2, so I’m quite excited 
). But I’m looking forward to seeing you next year at MICF if all goes according to plan.
Posted by lisan66 on September 10, 2010
I helped my mam out earlier, before reading the blog, but I’m hoping it still counts. I done the foos shopping fro her because she had to take my sister to the doctors.
Posted by Kate W on September 10, 2010
I’ve also unwittingly completed the task before you set it – stayed an hour late at work tonight so that someone delivering an award entry could drop it off (rather than finding a locked door).
Congratulations on the commission, have a wonderful trip and enjoy your new headphones!
Posted by Anji on September 10, 2010
I got the neighbours non in this morning even tho I have a buggered back/shoulder/neck. And helped lots of people at work – even when I wanted to tell them all to piss off and let me come home!
Hope the trips going well, I think I can smell my tea burning so better rescue that thus helping the firemen by not burnig the kitchen down!!
Posted by Kathryn on September 10, 2010
I helped out at my old after school project today when they didn’t have enough leaders. That was my good deed for the day, and it also made me realise how much I’m going to miss it. Have a good time in whatever weird time zone you’re reading this in.
Posted by Someone on September 10, 2010
Ahhh keyboard button pressing failure there! As I was saying…
Just heard about your ITV panel show commissioning malarchy so nice one on that! I wish I liked football/sport more but I’m sure it’ll be worth watching for the laughs anywho!
Also it’s a long shot but my brother should be coming back from Hong Kong today/tomorrow so you might pass each other! That’s exciting for me and my little life.
And I reckon I helped some peeps out with buses today so, success… though not sure if one of them caught it in the end :[. Hope she’s ok.
At any rate, have a nice Australia!
Posted by Someone on September 10, 2010
Just heard about your ITV
Posted by Kate B on September 10, 2010
Ahhh! I’ve left it a bit late to read this blog, otherwise I could have taken this challenge was too far and gone a bit crazy. Nevermind, today I’ll just help out my family. I might cook them dinner, that’s quite helpful right? Let’s just hope I don’t give them all food poisoning…
Have a good time in Australia! It’s raining here in Cambridge so feel very happy!
Posted by Rachael on September 10, 2010
Helping someone shouldn’t be that hard should it? All I can think of is making someone a cup of tea though and I do that everyday. I know, I’m a saint.
Posted by Misha on September 10, 2010
I worried briefly there that I’m not like to see anyone now until sunday to be helpful too, but then I remembered I took the glasses back to the bar before we left the cafe earlier so all is well.
Another ipod handover has been successfully made too. It’s now not in my possession for the first time in a month.
Posted by Mr. Sausage on September 10, 2010
@Tibbs I don’t think that counts. Hope that helped.
Posted by Steph on September 10, 2010
Deal
I’ve just bought some Cherry Lucozade (bleurgh) for my brother who is driving us to and from Birmingham tonight (from London). Hope it helps!
Hong Kong Airport! Tis a nice one. In fact, go and visit HK instead of Australia!
Posted by Laurs on September 10, 2010
Congratulations on the new show, how very exciting!
Have a safe trip to Australia and have a great time when you are there!
Also, I managed to help someone before I read this too, which I think means that I have to help someone else now… Ah well, out to the theatre tonight, that’s bound to throw up an occasion to help someone! x
Posted by Carl on September 10, 2010
Deal
Posted by Phill on September 10, 2010
Expensive headphones are great, although be warned – you may not be able to go back to cheap ones now
Regarding helping someone out for the day: I help out with a youth club on a Friday evenings, and it’s our first one back for the new term this evening. I think that will help me out for the day, possibly even the week. We’ll see
Posted by Simone on September 10, 2010
Deal. Have a lovely trip; i’m looking forward to the blogs from “down under” (it’s so difficult to not say this in an Australian accent. Also, “kangaroo”, “dingo”…).
Posted by JontyLarr on September 10, 2010
I’m going to help you be more confident.
Had a text from my brother (with whom I watch a lot of comedy) today saying you’d had a new sports commission and that all things considered he’d rank you as his favourite comedian. I thought about it for a while and said I probably agreed.
Posted by Alex on September 10, 2010
I’m going to go and hang the washing up. I haven’t even been ASKED to!
Posted by Tibbs on September 10, 2010
Hmm, I wonder if paying my mother back the money I owe her counts as “helping”? Somehow it feels like cheating. I will have to look out for other helpful opportunities.
Congratulations on the new show! (And thanks for the heads up about it, Shell!) I can’t wait to see it!
I hope your flight is enjoyable!
Posted by Shell on September 10, 2010
Yay – happened to manage the task even before I saw your post. Tick.
Hope you are good with time zones – wouldn’t want the blog’s continuity under further jeopardy …exciting though it is!
Have a lovely trip and congratulations on the announcement of your new TV show: Mark Watson Kicks Off
x
Posted by Sue (DiB) on September 10, 2010
There’s not much I can do to help someone as Friday is nearly over in Brisbane. I think I’ll help myself to a chocolate biscuit with my cup of tea. Works for me.
Posted by Ivan (@ivanbrett) on September 10, 2010
Hmm, who to help. I’ll have to think about that. Have a lovely flight, Mark!
Posted by Linsey on September 10, 2010
Expensive headphones are such a luxury, they’re amazing and then it’s horrible having to go back to £5 ones when my money runs out. Ahh well.
Right now my mum’s having a properly shit time at work, so I’m planning today to clean the whole house so that when she comes home from work she doesn’t have to. It’s small, but last time I did it she said it made her day, so I’m hoping it’ll have the same effect today.
Enjoy Australia! x